Communities across British Columbia are confronting growing danger from wildfires as authorities issued new evacuation orders and alerts overnight and the provincial fire agency warned that heat and limited precipitation will keep fire risk elevated.
Multiple communities placed on alert or ordered to leave
The Squamish‑Lillooet Regional District issued an evacuation order overnight for areas in Electoral Area A as flames from a wildfire in the South Chilcotin Mountains risked nearby properties. An evacuation alert was also issued for the vicinity of Texas Creek, south of Lillooet in Electoral Area B, in the early hours of the morning.
In the southern Interior, the village of Clinton and surrounding areas were facing a combination of evacuation orders and alerts as a wildfire that officials said had grown to more than 100 square kilometres threatened the area.
The city of Kimberley, in the southeast of the province, remained under an evacuation alert because of a nearby complex of fires. In the Fraser Canyon, authorities urged any remaining residents of Boston Bar to flee as blazes now surround that community.
Scope of the fire situation
Provincial authorities reported that there are now more than 80 wildfires actively burning across British Columbia. The BC Wildfire Service said conditions this week — hot temperatures and limited rainfall — increase the potential for new fire starts and will likely keep existing blazes active.
Smoke is expected to linger and may worsen in some regions, the agency advised, with northeastern and central parts of the province highlighted as areas where smoke could become more pronounced.
- Evacuation order: Squamish‑Lillooet Regional District (Electoral Area A)
- Evacuation alert: Texas Creek (Electoral Area B), Kimberley
- Urgent warnings: Boston Bar residents urged to flee
- Major fire growth: Clinton area blaze exceeding 100 square kilometres
| Community | Status |
|---|---|
| Electoral Area A (Squamish‑Lillooet RD) | Evacuation order |
| Texas Creek (Electoral Area B) | Evacuation alert |
| Clinton | Evacuation orders and alerts (fire >100 km²) |
| Kimberley | Evacuation alert (complex of fires nearby) |
| Boston Bar | Residents urged to flee |
Photos released by the BC Wildfire Service included imagery of the Matthew Creek wildfire outside Kimberley, underscoring the scale of the threat in the southeast. The handout photo is dated July 19, 2026, illustrating how fast conditions in some areas have deteriorated.
Fire forecasts and public safety
The BC Wildfire Service cautioned that continuing hot, dry weather coupled with limited precipitation raises the likelihood of additional fire starts. Officials also warned that smoky conditions are expected to persist and could worsen in the northeastern and central regions of the province.
For residents under evacuation alert or order, local authorities typically advise preparing an emergency kit, securing important documents, and following local evacuation routes and instructions from regional emergency management teams. Those urged to leave immediately should do so without delay and follow directions from police and firefighters.
As the situation evolves, page updates and emergency notifications from regional districts, the BC Wildfire Service and local governments will provide the latest on road closures, shelter locations and recovery resources.
With dozens of active fires and weather conditions that favour fire growth, public safety officials and firefighters face a challenging period ahead as they attempt to protect communities and infrastructure across British Columbia.
